Associate Professor of International Development Studies and Climate Change (1.0 FTE)

Associate Professor of International Development Studies and Climate Change (1.0 FTE)

Job description The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning at the Faculty of Geosciences of Utrecht University is interested in attracting a mid career academic in the fields of international development studies, human geography, social anthropology, sociology, and linked social science disciplines, who have strong research experience in the field of climate change, climate politics and justice.
You will join the International Development Studies (IDS) group at the department. Embedded in the Urban Futures programme, IDS has specialised in understanding local development in a context of rapidly changing flows of capital and of people. Looking at the world as an interconnected place, an important starting point for our approach is that rather than depending essentially on ‘local resources’, livelihood opportunities are to a large extent determined by translocal relations, development corridors and development chains; what occurs in one locality will to a high degree depend on what is happening in other places or, more precisely, on how local agencies interact with external (e.g., global, regional) forces, including climate change and political economy that the climate change invokes. Focusing on the crossroads of migration and investments flows, we analyse the consequences of new flows and circulations (of people, goods, capital and knowledge) for inclusive and sustainable development in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and clarify the implications for sustainable livelihoods and human wellbeing. 
The position involves 60% teaching and 40% research time. Core tasks include:

• teach our Bachelor's and Master's courses; 
• Bachelor's and Master's thesis supervision; 
• research, project acquisition and publishing; 
• PhD supervision;
• carry out management tasks for enhancing team spirit and an inclusive and diverse workplace;
• building and strengthening research and education networks in the field of International Development;
• co-develop and coordinate innovative courses in the new Bachelor's programme in Human Geography and Spatial Planning.

Qualifications Our preferred candidate should have demonstrated experience in research acquisition, publications and international teaching, as well as proven skills in management, collaboration and teambuilding. We are looking for candidates with an innovative research line that can complement the strengths of the group and department. We specially encourage candidates with field experience in Asia, Africa and the Latin American region. We are especially interested in candidates with demonstrated experience in either of the following areas:

• impact of climate change and its political consequences on vulnerable groups in the Global South;
• climate induced migration, displacement and resettlement;
• urban and community adaptation processes for threats posed by climate change and climate change-related development projects.

Your profile:

• a PhD in human geography, planning or international development studies (or related disciplines);
• experience with organizing, providing and developing teaching programmes;
• experience with the development of innovative teaching methods (e.g., e-learning, small group teaching, challenge based teaching); 
• a clearly defined research line and publication strategy;
• demonstrated ability and potential to acquire external funding at national and international level;
• demonstrated experience in successful PhD supervision;
• fluent in English, a passive knowledge of the Dutch language and you are willing to acquire a good active knowledge of the Dutch language within two years;
• be able to take up and carry out management tasks both within the section of International Development Studies and in the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning;
• social and communication skills and the ability and motivation to collaborate with colleagues from different disciplines;
• dedication to and skills for ‘binding leadership’: inspiring, ensuring collaboration and cohesion, open style of communication.

Preferably: 

• in possession of the Senior University Teaching Qualification  (Dutch or a foreign equivalent) or willing to acquire this certificate within two years;
• in possession of the Senior University Research Qualification  (Dutch or a foreign equivalent) or willing to acquire this certificate within two years;
• affinity to teaching qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods is desired.

Offer

We intend to fill the position on a permanent and fulltime basis. Depending on qualification and experience, a temporary contract can be offered initially. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - ranges between €5,275 and €7,054 (scale 13 and 14 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment.
Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions  (multiple choice model). Facilities for sports and childcare are available on the main campus, which is located only 15 minutes away from the historical city centre of Utrecht. The University’s International Service Desk will provide support to new international faculty members with an onboarding process, as well as provide career services for their spouse.More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

About the organization

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning has its focus on the enhancement of long-term economic developments of cities, how to cope with social inequalities, and how to accelerate sustainability transitions of cities and infrastructures. Research on these topics takes place within our research programme 'Urban Futures: Transitions Towards Economic and Social Sustainability for Cities'.

Our research programme is the basis for our Research Master's Human Geography and Geographical Information Management and Applications and Professional Master's in Spatial Planning, Human Geography, and International Development Studies. The department also runs a large and highly appreciated Bachelor's programme and is part of the Netherlands Graduate School of Urban and Regional Research for PhD candidates. Unique characteristics of the department are a special team focusing on innovations within teaching methods, its strong involvement in the transdisciplinary sustainability research theme and professional consultancy for public partners.

Additional information For more information about this position, please contact:
Ajay Bailey (Professor), via [email protected] or +31 6 43 52 35 94.
Apply To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the ‘apply’ button below.
Your application should include (and be limited to) the following:

• a motivation letter (no more than one page);
• one-page summary of your research, including future research plans;
• your curriculum vitae including a list of publications;
• names and contact details of two people who can provide references.

The application deadline is 18/12/2021